Vending machine



F. F. MOLLOY VENDING MACHINE ug. 7, E923. E ,464,439

Filed Sept. 'l5 1921 v y4l Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES /lVl/ENTR Aug. 7, 1923. l 3,464,439

F. F. MoLLoY VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. l5 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS ug. 7, M923. 11,464,439

F. F. MoLLoY VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept'. l5 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 TTORNEYS Aug. 7, w23.

F. F. MOLLQY VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WIM/5835s A TTUHNEYS Patented Aug. 7, 1923,

VENDING MACHINE.

Application led September 15, 1921. Serial No. 500,302.

To all wiz/m t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCIS F. MoLLoY,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented a new and Improved Vending Machine, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact description.

rI `his invention relates to a vending machine, and has for an object the provision of a simply operated, economically manufactured, and strong device adapted for the vending of any desired articles, in which the operation depends upon the insertion of coins and the manipulation of a handle by the operator. f

Another object resides in the provision of means whereby the handle cannot be effectively operated unless the proper number of coins have been inserted.

A further object resides in the provision of means whereby the coin-controlled mechanismis simple and efficient and constructed so that the coins form part of the means for permitting the effective operation of the handle..

A still lfurther object resides in the provision of means whereby the articles to lbe vended mayLone at a time, be ejected from their containers in a simple and efficient manner.

Another object resides in the provision of means whereby only a predetermined number of articles can be ejected upon the insertion of a definite amount of money.

A 'furtherobject resides in the particular constructionand arrangement of parts which are hereinafter described and claimed and shown in the accompanyingdrawings.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, of which- Figure 1 is a vertical section taken line 1 1 of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a partial vertical section similar tothe lower half of Figure l, showing the operating' parts in another position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are partial vertical sections somewhat enlarged, taken on Figure 6 and showing the parts in different operative positions;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a partial, enlarged front eleon the vation of the coin-controlled chutes showing the coin and the operating levers in one position;

Figure 8 is a similar View showing the parts in another position;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken through one of the coin chutes;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a group of members forming the coin-controlling means; and

Figures 11 and 12 are separate views of two of the plates forming part of said means.

00in-controlling mechanism.

rl`he invention as set forth in the drawings comprises a coin-controlling mechanism. This mechanism is mounted in any suitable casing l the front facev of which is provided with a plurality of slots, such as 2. These slots are provided torpermit of the extension therethrough of a handle 3 which is pivoted `within the machine on a suitable shaft 4. y lVithin the casing this handle portion is\ formed into. two blade portions 5 and 6 each of which is pivoted to the shaft 4, as above mentioned. Each of the blade portions 5 and Gis preferably, although not necessarily, formed with a T cross section, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The handle 3 is adapted to be moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. Q. During this movement each of the blades 5 and 6 are adapted to move downward between coin guide plates, to be hereinafter' described. These guide plates form a coin chute. Each coin chute comprises a pair of frame members. Each frame member comprises three plates 7, 8 and 9 which extend from a shelf or platform 10 to a point beneath the front portion of the casing 1, adjacent the handle portion 3 in its normal position. The upper end of each of these plates 7, 8 and 9 is suitably connected rigidly to'bracket portions, such as 11. The lower ends of the plates are connected by brackets, such as 12, to the platform 10. Fach of these plates 7, 8 and 9 are spaced apart and are adapted to receive therebetween flexible plates, such as -13 and 14. The

flexible plate 13 is disposed between the frame plates 7 and 8, and the flexible plate 14 is disposed between the frame plates 8 and 9. These fiexible plates 13 and 14 are connected by any suitable means, such 'as A frame plates at their lower ends, although' the flexible plates are provided with slots,

rivets 15, at their upper ends with the plates 7, 8 and '9, and are also connected to the 16 through which the lower rivets 17 are adapted to pass in order to permlt of a certain movementJ of the lower ends of these Hexible plates 13 and 14, as hereinafter mentioned. The outer lateral faces, such-as 18, of the plates 13 and 14 are connected by rivets, such as 19, so that when one of these plates is movedthe other one moves with it.

On the inner face of' each of the plates 13 is a curved cam surface, such as20, and on theinner face of the iexible plate 14 a projecting or latch portion 21. The exlble plates 13 and 14 are so disposed with respect to the frame plates 7, 8 and 9 that throughout substantially their entire length their inner edges are spaced rearwardly from the inner edges of the frame plates 7, 8 and 9, so as to form slots or grooves through which a coin 22 may pass. t will be understood, therefore, that each ofthe blades 5 and 6 of each handle portion 3 extends down-f wardly in its movement past a group comprising a pair or sets of plates, as abovel mentioned and* 'as particularly shown in Figs. 7,- 8 and 9.

ln- Fig. 7 a coin 22 is shown in `position extending between two-opposite plates 13 of agroup with itsiedges bearing frainst the cam surface 20 of these plates. This coiny was insertedin a chute, ysuch as 23, whichextends slightly above the top of the casing `1. and leads to apoint near the upper end of the sets or group ofplates forming the guideways or chutes for the further travel of the coin, as above mentioned. The chutes 23 are ofl'l set from the direct line of the sets of` plates 7, 8a-nd 9 to permit of the movement ofthe blades 5 and 6. From an examination ofI Figs. 7 and' 8, it will be seen, therefore, that-the blades 5 and 6 as they are moved downwardly by the movement of the handle 3 will contact with the uppercdge ofthe coin. Blade' 5 will contact with onef'coin, and blade 6 will-contact with another coin in anadjacentl chute. The main body ofthe 'T `section of` each blade will contact with the coin first. Furthermore, movement Jof the coin from the position shown in Fig.` 7 will cause .the

flexible .plates 13, `byreason of the. engagement of the coin'with the cam -surface'20.

jtobeforced.backward. Thismovement will Y also cause the ,movement of. plates j 14 back- -ward also, by -reason of theguiding .con-

n'ection'between the plates '13 'and 14. The

backward movement of plates 14 will cause 'the withdrawal of the projections 21 out of the line 'of the horizontal portion of the "T sectionof each blade, so that the blades can be Vmoved down to the lOWeI' end yof their stroke.

incense "v-bla'de is moved down, there will' be` no means to withdraw the exible plates and that, consequently, the projections 21 will extend beneath lthe'path of movement of the T section and prevent more than a certain amount of movement thereof. The permissible distance of movement of the blades before they are stopped by the projection 21 is, of course, gauged tobe such that the Y article being vended Will not be ejected during this movement. lt will .be understood, therefore, why. the lower ends of the dexible'iplates are provided with slots 16. yThis provision is made so that when .they are bent outwardly the lower ends canv move '1 slightly with respect to the rivets or pins 17. After the coin has been forced down past the position shown in Fig. 8, it `will drop by gravity into ahy suitable receptacle,such as 24, disposed beneath the coin guides or chutes and suitably attached to the platform 10.

Article ejectz'ng apparatus.

Extending across between the blades 5 ofwhich lever is connected to a link 30.

This link 30 is in turn connected to one member 31 of a bell crank lever loosely piv. `.oted on shaft 4 and connected by a sleeve- 32 to the blade members 5 and 6. The other member 33 of the bell crank lever is connected by a link 34 to an ejecting member or casing 35. This casing 35 is mounted on a platform or guide way 36 disposedbeneath an elongated chamber or receptaclel 37 which extends upwardly'to the top of -the casing 1- and contains the articles to be vended. yThis receptacle or container '37,

as shown, isrectangular in'cross section and 1s suitably mounted or supported fromthe" walls of the'casing 1 by-means of brackets] such as 38. It is understood that between each handle member 3 and its container k37 there isa movement transmitting mecha? nism similar to that described.

A spring 39 extends betweenieach of the blade ,members 5 and. 6 andthe platform 10 and tends normally' to hold the'vfhandle' portions 3 in their upwardposition. The lower end of this spring is connected. to a stop member 40 which facts tolimit thel down` ward movementof the handle 3 whilethe sprmg 39 1s being compressed. The lever section 27 is connectedby a spring 41 to the casing. 1. This springt'ends to restore `the lever section 31 to the positionshowin in Fig. -1. f

As viewed particularly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6,

the package or article-ejecting apparatus is disposed beneath the ends of the receptacles 37. The ejecting member 35 is adapted to be reeiprocated backward and forward on the shelf 36, and at its rear end is provided with a depending flange portion 42 which limits the forward movement of the member 35 as it contacts against the rear edge of the shelf 36. This flange 42 also limits the rearward movement of the member 35 yas it contacts with the abutment 43 shown in Fig. 2 and mounted on a platform or shelf 10. A spring 44 is connected beneath the shelf 36 at one' end to a front wall 45 of the platform 10 and at the other end to the fiange 42. Pins 46 and 47 are connected to the flange 42 and the wall 45, respectively, and are surrounded by the adjacent convolutions of the spring 44. This spring tends to keep the ejecting member 35 in a forward position.-

As shown particularly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there are disposed between the plurality of article-ejecting members 35, and mounted on the shelf or platform 10. a plurality of bars 48.' Each bar is provided along opposite edges with a horizontal fiat surface 49 and a vertical wall 50. On each surface 49 a bar or plate 51 is rigidly disposed and connected thereto in any suitable manner. This plate 5l is provided with a plurality of notched portions, such as 52. On the vertical wall 50 above the notched plate 51 is disposed a curved cam plate 53, the forward end l54 of which extends downwardly into close conl tact with the front end of the plate 51. 4As shown -in Fig. 4, the ejector member 35 has been withdrawn to the full rearward limit of its travel. This ejector member is provided with a transverse slot 55 which eX- tends through the member and has considerable depth. ln'this slot a long pin 56 is disposed, the ends of the pin adapted to extend beyond the member35 and to co-operate inl -the manner hereinafter to be described with the plates 51 and 53. In Fig. 4 the pin 56 is disposed in the rear notch of the plate 51, preventing further rearward movement of the member 35. In Fig. 5 the pin 56 has moved forward with the casing 35 and has passed beneath the ,front flexible end of the cam plate 53. It will be understood that whenever the ejector casing 35 is withdrawn to the position shown in Fig. 4, an article to be vended, such as 57, will drop down by gravity on to the platform or shelf`36 ready to be pushed therefrom by the easing 35. As

the package 57 is ejected from the platform l36, .it drops on to a sloping plate 58 which extends downwardly toward the front of the casing 1, where the article can be removed by the person manipulating the device.

. It will be understood, of course, that in i connection with each ejector casing 35 there are two sets of plates, such as 51 and 53,

each set co-operating with the end of the pin 56 which is connected with each ejector casing 35.

n the operation of this machine, it is first necessary that a coin be inserted in each of the chutes 23 related with any particular handle. `There are two chutes for each handle to be operated, one chute connected to the passage through which the blade 5 moves, and the other chute connected to the passageway through which the blade (3 moves. It will also be apparent that unless a coin is in each chute, the blade in the passage in which there is no coin will contact with the projections 21 and that further movement of the handle will be prevented. Therefore, it is only when coins are in all of the chutes connected to any particular handle that these handles can be moved beyond a predetermined amount.

When the coins are properly disposed in all the chutes or passageways, then the handle, by being moved down, will move the coin to force the fiexible plates backward, and b v so doing withdraw the projections 21 from the line .of travel of the blades so that the handle can be moved downward. This downward movement will proceed until the blade portions conta'et with the stops 40. As the handle portion is moved downward, the linkage previously mentioned willeause the retraction of the ejector casing 35 conneeted to that particular handle portion,

.and as soon as this casing is retracted a suffi- .these springs will cause the quick forward movement of the ejector casing 35 which moves the article 57 off from the platform 36 and on to the curved plate 58. The article will then slide down this curved plate to the front of the casing, where it can be removed by the operator.

In order to further understand the operation of the means whereby only one article can be removed or ejected upon the insertion of a definite number of coins, we will assume that the ejector casing has been turned back into the position shown in Fig. 4, in which circumstance an article 57 is in the full line position shown in Fig. 4, on the platform or shelf 36. Assuming in addition that the handle 3 is allowed to retract sufficiently far to move an article to the dotted position shown in Fig. 4. it may well be that in this dotted position the article might by gravity fall ofl'the platform and slide down of the casing 35. If this were the case, then it might be possible for the operator immei the plate 58 without any further movement v ldiately to move the handle downy again,

whereupon anotherarticle would drop onto the shelf 36 and a similar procedure could ensue, whereuponl the operator would be enabled to get out a great many articles by paying only a given initial sum. It is, of course, assumed that he does not permit the elevation of the handle -to a point above the normal position of the projections 21.

'l'o overcome this diilic'ulty, l have provided the plates 51 and 53 previously mentioned. lt will be seen that whenever the ejector casing 35, in moving forward a distance not quite sufficient toforce the pin 56 under the end- 54 of the cam plate 53, that any backward or retractive movement of the casing 35 will result in the pin 56 engaging inone of the notches in the plate 51, whereby further retractive movement of the casing 35 is prevented. Furthermore it vwill be seen that from the beginningof the forward movement of the casing 35 from the position shown in full lines in I other of these notched portions.-

Fig. 4, the pin will ride over the notched portions ofthe plate 51 and alternately will lie in a position fte engagev with'one or the lf, however, the member is moved forward a sucient distance, as indicated in full lines in Fig. `5, so that the -pin 56 will have been forced under the end 54 of .the cam plate' 53, then a retractive movement of the casing 35 will permit the pinl 56 to vride up on the plate 53 until it drops ed the rear end of the plateinto the rearmost notched portion, such as 52 of the plate 51. lt is, however, predetermined' that in order to move the casing 35 forward a distance sufficient to force the. pin 56 under the end 54 ofl the plate 53,1the handle 3 must have been moved forward a sucient distance `to cause the blades 5 and 6' toreach a point above the projections 21. vConsequently, a downward movement of the handle thereafter is not permitted until additional coins have been inserted.

llt will thus be seen that l have provided a device in which by movin a member or handle in yonedirection an ejector device is retracted to` permit an article to move in a position to be ejected. Upon the release of the handle, resilient means such as1 springs vcause the operative-movement of the ejector casing to eject the article on to a delivery' plate and also thereturn of the operating lhandle to normal. It'will also be seenthat i l have provided simple and elicient means incense ticle for a definite amount of money cannot take place, .and that excepting for the insertion of the coins and the manipulation of the handle in one direction, the device is entirely automatic.

` What l claim is:

1. A coin-controlled mechanism for vending machines, which comprises a plurality and the lever may move further'dovvnward;v

along the passageway.

2. A coin-controlled mechanism for vending machines, which compris s a plurality of Hexible plates disposed to form a passageway for a coin therebetweena projecting surface on certain of said plates adapted to lie in the path of lthe coin to support the same,

and a projecting surface on certain other of f said plates to lie in the path of movement of the lever and restrain lthe same, vsaid flexible plates being fastened together, said 'coin,'whe'n in the passageway and engaged by said lever, adapted byreason of itsem gagement with the supportingv surface to j force the plates apart, whereby the lever limiting projections are withdrawn lfroml the line of travel of the lever to permit its further downward movement. Y

3. A coin-controlled mechanism for vending machines, which comprisesl a plurality of'sets of plates, each set forming Va passageway for a coin, an operating handle of the vending machine having a plurality of blades, each blade disposed inl one of s'aid passageways, projectionson ce tain of said plates to support a coin whe inserted in the passageway, and projections on another of said plates to limit the movement ofthe blade disposed in said passageway, each of said coins when supported in its passageway and engaged byits respective blade adapted to spread the plates, whereby the blade'l obstructing surface is moved out of 1 the line of movement of the blade to permit 1 A, its further downward movement.. whereby the operation of' the vending machine V can be `com leted.

.. ran ors FERDINAND MoLLor. 

